Small Japanese Kodansu Cabinet

Details

Description

Small antique Japanese Kodansu cupboard – Late Meiji Period (c.1890-1910)
Dimensions: Length: 33 cm Depth: 30 cm Height: 53 cmStyle: … Read more Small antique Japanese Kodansu cupboard – Late Meiji Period (c.1890-1910)
Dimensions: Length: 33 cm Depth: 30 cm Height: 53 cmStyle: Meiji
Materials and techniques: Sugi (Japanese cedar) and Keyaki (Japanese zelkova), wrought iron.
Place of origin: Japan
Period: Late Meiji
Date of manufacture: Circa 1890-1910
Condition: Good. Wear commensurate with age and use.

Japanese domestic cabinet from the late Meiji period, crafted in solid wood and composed of two front doors, two lower drawers, and a compartmentalized interior with shelving.The piece belongs to a regional tansu typology, originally conceived for the storage of textiles, documents, and personal belongings. Its construction is sober and functional, representative of late 19th-century Japanese cabinetmaking, where utility and structural lightness took precedence over ornamentation.The front doors incorporate vertical windows fitted with original decorative paper featuring subtle vegetal motifs. This characteristic Meiji-period resource was used to visually lighten the volume of the cabinet while introducing a poetic, domestic element. The paper shows natural aging consistent with its age.The wood displays a deep, stable patina, with marks of use, small abrasions, and tonal variations typical of long-term use. Based on its visible characteristics, the piece appears to be primarily made of sugi (Japanese cedar), with possible reinforcements or structural elements in a denser local hardwood, likely keyaki—a common material combination in Japanese furniture of this period.The metal fittings, simple in design and well proportioned, retain their original form with uniform wear. The interior preserves its original shelves in good structural condition, while the lower drawers remain complete with their original handles and construction. The cabinet stands on solid raised feet, a traditional solution intended to protect it from ground moisture.The piece is in good structural condition, with visible yet balanced wear, preserving both its material integrity and original character.The state of conservation is optimal, except for the characteristic imperfections of any antique produced by the passage of time.Give a point of originality to your home with a unique piece, which merges with the contemporary style bringing personality to your home. This small antique Japanese cabinet can be combined with any of our sideboards or with our available antique side tables. See less